Sand cap



Dec. 16, 1930. J. D. LEMEX ET AL 1,785,272

SAND GAP Filed June 13, 1928 A? I NVENTORS l Patented Dec. 16, 1930 UNITED STATESPATENT oin-"10E JOHN J). LEMEX, 0F TULSA, AND DEWEY a SMITH, ornnnlvionn, OKLAHOMA, AS-

SIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO OIL WELL SUPPLY CQMPANY, OF PITTS- BURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF J SAND GAP Application filed. June 13,

Our invention-relates to a new andim proved cap especially designed for use on a stuffing-box employed at the upper end of the eration. In the use of these stuffing-boxes as heretofore constructed, especially in localities where dry weather and high winds prevail most of the time, fine sand and other foreign matters, which havea severe cutting effect, accumulate in the oil reservoir and other parts of the boxes, causing Wear and destruction of the operating parts and necessitating frequent shut-downs.

Among the objectsof the present invention are: to provide a cap that may be readily applied and of a construction that will prevent the entrance of sand and other foreign matter to the box and prevent the escape of oil therefrom; to provide a cap in the form of an attachment for the stuiiiing-box capable of application thereto without stoppingthe pumping operation; and to provide a cap of tions adapted to'interfit with the upper portion of the stuffing-box.

Various additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken 1n'connec-.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line IIIIII ofFig. 1; Q

Fig.4 is an elevation, partly broken away, showing thesand cap in place on the stuifingbox and a portion'o'f-the tubing; and

,erally designated '15,,is used. Such cap 'slsts of aplurality of independent, separable orj displac'eable sections,- for instance, two sec T box and cap.- an inexpensive and durable construction 1neluding novel separable or dlsplacable sec 1928. .Serial No. 234,920.

Fig. 5 is sectional view taken on the line VV of Fig. 4. s r

Referring specifically tothe drawings,

wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, 10 designates a conventionalstufiing-box of the type designed to be mounted atethe top of the well tubing 11, and

through which apolish rod 12 reciprocates, as usual. The stuffing-box shown has a lubricant reservoir for lubricating. the polish rod 12;

handles 13, and flanges 14 at its top,.as usual.

In oarrying out, our invention,,a cap, gencontions 16,as shown in :the. drawings. Such sections meet on a vertical diametric plane, as at 17, and at; the top,

the sections have oppositely extending lateral flanges 18 disposed in correspondingly shaped recesses 19 of the companion section. f I T The sections, when assembled, providea bore opening 20, through which the polish rod ..12passes, and such bore is enlarged to form an annular. groove or recess 21 in which rubber or other packing elements 22 are removably disposed. Said packing elements 22 fit and wipe theperiphery of thepolish rod 112 as the latterreciprocates through the stufing Adjacent-the bases of thesections 16, re-

ceiving grooves 23 are provided, affording flanges 24 directly below the'same. Said grooves 23:receive the flanges 14, which latter are overlapped from below by the flanges 24 sothat the cap is engaged with the stuffingbox against danger of vertical movement relatively thereto. Between the'flanges 24:,

cut-away portions or slots 25 are provided, in

which theupper portions of the handles 13 are disposed, wherebyf the sections 16 can- .not be turned relatively to the stufiing-box.

It will be understood that, in applying the sand cap tothe stuffing-box and polish rod,

the sections 16 are in separated relation and are individually positioned. The sections 16 are held together in unitary relation against lateral or'radial displacement by means ofa contractile steel ring 26,

entered in registering grooves 27 provided peripherally of the sections 16.

It will he noted that the cap 15, especially due to the intimate contact of the packings 22 with the polish rod 12 and the sections 16 generally closingt-he top of the stuffing box 10, protects the lubricant within the striding-box against theentrance of sand or foreign matter whose abrasive eiiect on the working parts would cause rapid wear therev of, frequent repairs and replacements, attended by shut-downs in operation.

Channels or grooves 28 of sections 16 are in communication with the central opening 20 to enable the wipings from the polish rod, and other collected foreign matter, to be carried away from said rod.

In addition to excluding foreign matter from the working surfaces, the packing 22 serves to maintain the lubricant within the stuffing-box or against rising on the upstrokes of the polish rod. At the same time, the improved sand cap may be readily applied even while the well is pumping, and is of a constructuion that is inexpensive and exceedingly durable.

The sand cap is especially useful in the oil fields of Western Texas and Oklahoma, which experience many and long periods of dry weather and high Winds, which set a fine sand into circulation in the air, and which accumulates in the lubricant reservoirs of stuffing-boxes and at the zones of contact of working parts,

Various changes may be resorted to, provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

That We claim is A sand cap for the purpose specified having a bore therethrough, said cap being in separable sections, said bore being enlarged to form a groove, packing disposed in said groove for engagement with a polish rod, said cap below said groove having a depending marginal flange adapted to surround the stuffing-box below its upper end, said bore being further enlarged to provide a recess adapted to receive parts of astufii-ng-box for attachment of the cap thereto, a contractile ring securing said sections together, said sections adjacent the top having oppositely extending lateral flanges, and the sections having recesses receiving said latter flanges.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

JOHN D. LEMEX DEWEY RAY SMITH. 

